[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 178 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING AISHA KARIMAH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2015

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Aisha Karimah, who 
is retiring from NBC4 Washington after 46 years of outstanding service 
to the District of Columbia and the national capital region.
  Residents have seen Aisha at many of our charitable events in the 
city and region, but far more often, they have seen only her good works 
in many community campaigns. We could not count the people or the 
dollars Aisha's efforts have helped bring to our most successful 
community campaigns, among them: Beautiful Babies Right from the Start, 
Drug Free Zones, It Takes a Whole Village, Make the Right Call, Camp 4 
Kids, Get Healthy 4 Life, Backpacks 4 Kids, Food 4 Families, and the 
NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo. In addition, Aisha produces two weekly news 
programs: Reporters Notebook and Viewpoint. A veteran television 
producer, Aisha also has generously lent her gifts to Howard University 
Television, including the Urban Health Report, Washington's Leaders and 
the Randall Robinson Program. Ms. Karimah is a particularly positive 
and dedicated role model for African Americans and for women entering 
journalism, and serves as a mentor to hundreds of young people. Aisha 
herself is a graduate of Howard University and Wesley Theological 
Seminary. She has been an extraordinary friend and guidepost to the 
District and to me ever since I have been a Member of Congress.
  While Aisha has been engaged in a successful career in television and 
journalism, she also has been a devoted mother of two sons: Donnell, a 
graduate of American and George Washington universities, and Jay, a 
Howard University graduate.
  Aisha Karimah's success, of course, has come from her tireless 
efforts, her love for her community and her drive to excel in her 
profession. However, Aisha gives all the credit to God. Aisha, a native 
Washingtonian who grew up on welfare in the District's Lincoln Heights 
public housing complex and started work at the age of 10, says her 
faith has helped her to rise to the top of her profession and serve her 
hometown at the same time. Aisha kept going at NBC4 despite illness. 
Now, after 46 years, often behind the scenes, bringing countless 
campaigns to our city and region, the time has come for Aisha herself 
to take a much deserved bow.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and 
congratulating Aisha Karimah for excellence well beyond the call of 
duty for NBC4 Washington, the District of Columbia, and the national 
capital region for 46 remarkable years.

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